AUBURN, N.Y. - The State College Spikes fell victim to a strong pitching effort by the Auburn Doubledays, dropping a 4-1 decision at Falcon Park Thursday.
State College (2-5) did not collect a hit until the seventh inning against Auburn (3-4) starter Joel Correno (1-0). Kyle Morgan broke through for the Spikes' first hit in the seventh, and also scored the only State College run.
David Rubinstein and Kyle Saukko collected the other base hits for the Spikes, who for the first time since opening night, played in a game decided by more than one run.
Quinton Miller (0-1) took the loss for State College in his second professional start, going three innings and allowing three runs, but only one earned run. Miller allowed five hits and three walks while striking out two in the effort.
Correno earned the win for the Doubledays by going seven innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits and striking out six. The seven innings were a high for any pitcher for or against the Spikes this year. Casey Beck (2) earned the save for Auburn by getting the final out in the eighth and pitching a scorless ninth inning.
The Spikes and Doubledays will face off in game two of a three-game series Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at Falcon Park. State College will send right hander Ricardo Paulino (0-0) to the mound to face Auburn righty Scott Gracey (0-1).
